CNN's New 'Nappy Headed Hoe'

In a time where we criticize the likes of Imus for calling basketball players ‘nappy headed hoes’…where political groups create caricatures of a presidential candidate on food stamps…where there are still James Byrd style draggings taking place…we have the likes of Darryl Lynn Hughley. When I initially saw the trailers for the show, I anticipated seeing something like ‘The Daily Show’ or ‘Colbert Report’, since I like both of these, I was eagerly anticipating the show’s debut this past week. I was sorely disappointed. Whether it was the seemingly endless barrage of racial jokes and stereotypical montages; the blatantly racist correlation between Obama’s candidacy and that of every minstrel on film from Sammy Davis, Jr. to Tiny Lister; or the jokes about the cholesterol level of black people I think he missed the mark.
Some may say, ‘lighten up, they’re just jokes’ others will say, ‘I liked it’. I, however, don’t think so. I believe if I would have been offended with Dennis Leary, Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart saying it, then it ain’t right for him to do it either. Darryl was trying to add a comedic spin on the presidential election, but wound up making black folk fodder for jokes by everyone watching. The appearance of ‘Freddie Mac’ discussing the pimp game and his cousin Fannie Mae was ridiculously offensive and, in my opinion, not funny at all. When will we as a people get past this type of crap?
He went on to explain Obama’s health plan’s benefits to include gold grills? Come one D. L.! You know you can do better than that. I would be less offended and disappointed had this been an up and coming comic who needed a ‘big break’, but D.L. is one of the Kings of Comedy [even though he wasn’t near the funniest]. He had the responsibility to evaluate and turned down this opportunity, or at least do it in a more responsible manner.
While I’m still pissed at Hughley, I’m equally irritated that a supposedly ‘real’ news channel would put this type of crap on the air. This type of crap has no place on an allegedly “mainstream” news network, especially within arm’s reach what’s called, the most important election in our lives. Sadly, I don’t remember any of DL’s jokes that didn’t focus on some stereotypical aspect of the black community. He helped perpetuate the notion of ignorance and shiftlessness that is pervasive in some circles.
I don’t understand what CNN hoped to accomplish with this program. I’m befuddled by this turn from legitimacy to lunacy. If they were trying to appeal to the black audience, they could have given a 30 minute show to Roland Martin. He would have filled the void we’ve had since BET stopped doing news [just a thought]. While on the subject of Martin, he ought to be offended by this garbage and the slap in the face by not giving him an opportunity to do something serious. I mean, if Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity can do it, I KNOW Roland could handle his own. At least he wouldn’t have feigned legitimizing the Obama campaign/presidency with saying Flava Flav would succeed him in the white house.
Don’t misinterpret this for me standing on a soapbox and pointing a finger. I love comedy and some comedians that make jokes about what they know, black life. I like Katt Williams, Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and loved Bernie Mack, but these comedians stretch their abilities and don’t always fall back on the ludicrosity that D.L. does. My ‘black power’ fist isn’t always in the air and my dashiki isn’t in the dry cleaners. I do laugh at some things that maybe I shouldn’t, but I call a spade a spade.
I now understand why Petey Greene did what he did on the Tonight Show. He thought it was his big break, but came to the realization when he got there that they weren’t laughing at his jokes, they were laughing AT HIM and those like him. Maybe D.L. ought to watch ‘Talk to Me’, if he hasn’t already. If he has he ought to watch it again...and call up the creators and writers of ‘The Boondocks’ to watch it with him.

Is this really who we've become? Have we reverted back to being minstrels for 'the man'?

It's just my opinion, but I'm Not Wrong!!

Pacman, Palin, and the Bailout

Most people who know me know that I am a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan. I have been for a very long time. I often tell people that’s why I moved to Dallas. However, they’ve made some decisions that I don’t agree with as of late. They brought in T.O. a couple of years ago and I stopped buying season tickets. He hasn't negatively affected the tem since he joined, I still don't like the decision. They brought in Tank Johnson after being dropped by the Bears. He stepped into the defense and s doing a good job, hasn't been in trouble with the law since coming to Texas. We actually got him for a deal due to his legal indiscretions. Then they brought in Adam [Pacman] Jones after a spree that all black folks ought to be shamed of. Why? We all know that [whether we admit it or not] black folk are maligned by the actions of other black folk. I was conversing with a colleague in regards to his present situation and he commented that Goodell was too hard on him. I had to look at him twice to make sure he wasn’t joking, then I asked why he felt this way. He quipped, “If he was a white boy they wouldn’t have done nothing to him.” First of all, we ought not set out standards on looking at other folk, least of all white folk. I’m so sick of hearing that as an excuse for the actions for people’s actions. Why can’t we set standards for ourselves that WE reach for and exceed? Why is it that we can’t set objectives that have nothing to do with others? Matter of fact, if we want to emulate others [regardless of race] why don’t we emulate the likes of Michael Dell and Bill Gates? How about Chris Gardner or John H Johnson? Back to ‘Adam’; I think his suspension was just and Goodell wouldn’t be wrong if he’d ban him for life. Tough? Cruel? I don’t think so. He’s been given over 15 chances and acts like he can’t act right. It’s a privilege for him to be paid a king’s ransom to play a child’ game; obviously he doesn’t appreciate that privilege. The other thing they need to do is similar to what they do in baseball, start a mentoring program for these new millionaires when they enter into the league. Make the program mandatory and a part of their contract. Many of these young men don’t know what to do with that type of money and may not have the network around them when they sign their contract to handle it properly. Limiting the amount of their contract they get over the first 2 or 3 years wouldn’t be a bad thing either; a graduated contract contingent on participation in the programs they have for them [with guaranteed payout in the case of career ending injury during that time]. Just a thought…

The Republican Party has received a lot of flack for the choice John McCain made in his vice presidential nominee. Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin, has been maligned for not being experienced; she’s been criticized for her support of abstinence only education while her own daughter became a statistic; she’s been ridiculed for her devout Pentecostal beliefs and made fun of for not knowing what periodicals she reads. I, for one, have a little sympathy [very little] for her. According to those that served with her in Wasilla, she was a good councilwoman and mayor. Her role as governor has been tarnished by the outcome of an investigation with regard to her brother-in-law and his job. All of this being said, think about her position. Coming from a small town and a sparsely populated state and thrust onto the national spotlight has to be difficult to handle. If you look deeply into any of our lives you’ll find some things that others might find inappropriate, may not agree with or might be critical of. Much of what she’s been criticized of, many of us have experienced. No one’ s life is above reproach, NO ONE. That's why you'll not see me on a stage of this altitude. I'd like to keep my closet closed. Just a thought…

It’s been a few weeks since my last post. Life kind of caught up with me for a minute. Anyways, I’m still trying to figure out how congress, who’s elected by their constituents, could pass a bill that’s opposed by over 70% of America, their constituents? Hmmm…makes me wonder. By the way, I’m no economist, but using my limited math skills the total for this ‘bailout’ is gonna cost those of us who got a house we could afford, paid our mortgages on time and live within our means over a trillion dollars [maybe 2] when it’s all said and done. Nothing chaps my hide more than wasting my money!!! However I don’t feel like there’s nothing I can do. I’ll be posting the names [before Nov 4] of every senator and congressman who voted for that crap here and encouraging us all to vote for somebody else. With my understanding of the political system, elected officials are supposed to act on the wishes of their constituents. If most of America, who aren’t happy about the bailout would let their elected officials know by electing someone else, their successors would take notice. I’m one of those who believes that you ought to do what you say you’re going to do and every elected official claims that their main role is to serve their constituency. By the way, where'sthe bailout for the college grads strapped with over $40,000 in loans? Just a thought…

It's Just My Opinon, But I'm Not Wrong!